Tube cleaner



F. W LINAKER AND T. M. BRUBACK.

TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2|, 1919.

Patehted Feb. 28, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

v I INVENTOR fiazz/wfi By Aftm'neys, aw/ink Qmk WW F. W. LINAKER AND T.M. BRUBACK.

TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. 1919.

Patented Feb. 28', 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR LEI 712x MAI 9 r W W l J OU 4 O 5 Mm F m 3 -n 6 11H. 9 H w j MF. W. L INAKER AND T. M. BRUBACK.

TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED'APR. 2i. 19l9. 1,408,369. Patented Feb. 28, 1922.v

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

By A'ttomeysg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i i nniiaiox w. LINAKEB, AND THEODORE M. BRUBACK, or Donors.PENNSYLVANIA.

TUBE CLEANER.

T all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, FREDERICK lV. LINA- KER and THEODORE M. BRUBACK,the former a subject of the King of Great Britain and the latter acitizen of the United States of America, both residing in Dubois, in thecounty of Clearfield and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Tube Cleaners, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to devices for cleaning the tubes of boilers,economizers, and the like, commonly known as soot cleaners, and aims toprovide improvements therein.

The present invention provides a tube cleaner for boilers, attached to afitting upon the setting or wall of the boiler, and adapted tolie-projected into the interior of the boiler setting when it is desiredto clean the tubes, and to be withdrawn from theinterior of the boilersetting when the cleaneris not in use." The removability of the cleaningelement from the interior of the setting is of especial advantage wherethe position of the cleaning element or tube in the interior of theboiler setting is adjacent the combustion chamber of the furnace, or inthe first passes for the combustion gases through or 1 over the tubes.

bodiment, and Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, illus-' trate another embodiment.

- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of said first'embodiment,attached tothe wall or setting of a boiler; Y

Fig; 2 is a horizontalsectional view of certain of the parts shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line III-J11, Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 1 is avertical sectional view of the second embodiment, shownattached to the wall or setting of a boiler;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View of certain parts shown in Fig. 4;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb 28, 1922,

Application filed April 21, 1919. Serial No. 291,545.

Fig. 6 is a View in elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4;;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views illustrating the manner of use, and disposalwhen not in use, of-the parts of the invention.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is that of Figs. 1 to 3,inclusive. embodiment shown in Figs. 4:, 5 and 6, the cleaning tube isprojected into the interior of the setting, and withdrawn, and disposed,when not in use, similarly to the parts shown in Figs. :7 and 8,although in the construction shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the cleaningelement or tube may be swung to and fro in the interior of the setting,as will hereinafte more fully appear.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, numeral 1 designates a cleaner pipe orelement, and 2 a fitting through which said cleaner pipe or elementextends, and in which it may he slid into and out from the interior ofthe boiler setting. r i

The fitting 2 preferably comprises a plate 3, adapted to be fastenedto'the wall or setting of a boiler, and having brackets 4:, 4, on whicha box 5 is pivotally'mounted, as indi cated at 6, 7. H

, The box 5 is provided with a stufling box 9 adapted to prevent theescape of cleaning fluid around the cleaner tube, and in which thecleaner tube or element 1 is slid back" and forth. The box 5 is alsoprovided with a bearing 10 for the cleaner itube. The stufiing box 9 ispreferably connected to the box 5. through a short pipe extension 12, inorder to give the cleaner tube or element a longer bearing between itssupports. 15 designates a cleaning fluid supply pipe, connected with thebox 5 through a swing-' ing packing joint 17. The cleaning fluid may beany fluid useful for this purpose, but .is' usually steam. A nipple orshort piece of pipe 19 may be interposed between the swinging packingjoint 17 and the box 5,-and constitute oneof the pivots upon which thebox 5 turns.

The box 5 is provided with a steam chamber 21, surrounding thecleanerpipe or element Land the cleaner pipe or element 1 is providedwith steam inlet openings 23 adapted to admit steam from the chamber 21to the interior ofthe pipe 1, when the pipe is projected into theinterior of the boiler setting, as indicated in Fig. 1 (and as indicatedindotted lines in Fig. a I The part of the cleaner pipe or element Inthe c 1 which projects into the interior of the boiler setting, isprovided with a plurality of jet-forming orifices 24- (Fig. 7), throughwhich the cleaning fluid is adapted to issue in jets, and strike againstthe tubes or other parts of the boiler to be cleaned, and thereby tions,so as to secure a thorough cleaning of all parts of the interior of theboiler the reach of the jets. 1

The boiler setting or wall is provided with a passage 27 through whichthe cleaner pipe or element passes. The box5 and the plate 3..fitclosely, so as to shut off the entrance of air into the interior of theboiler setting. This close fit between the parts 3 and 5 is best securedby using a packing 29 be tween them. j

The face, 30 of the box 5 facing the plate 3,-is preferably circular incross-section, and the face 31 of the plate 3 is correspondingly shaped.These corresponding circular faces permit the box to'be turned upon itsaxis 6, 7, a quarter turn or so, and still keep covered the passage 27leading to the interior of the boiler setting.

Operation: Normally the cleaner tube or element is in the position shownin Fig. 8,

within alongside the wallor setting of the boiler.

See also the position indicated'by the dotted line 33, Fig. 7. Inthis'position the inner end35 of the cleaner tube or element is flushwith or slightly below the face 30 of the box 5. In order to use thedevice for cleaning, the tube 1 andbox 5 are swung around the axis 6, 7,of the box until the end 35 of the tube is in line with the opening 27inthe wall of the boiler, Fig. 7. The cleaner tube or element 1 is thenpushed into the interior of the. boiler to an extent sufficient to bringthe inletopenings 23 into the chamber 21 of the box. Steam maythereupon. be admitted through thepipe 15, and this steam passes throughthe nipple 19 into the chamber 21, through theinlets 9.3 to the interiorof the pipe, and thencethrough the jet-formingorifices 24501111011110parts to be cleaned. The surfaces struck by the jets may be changed byturning the cleanerpipe or element 1 upon its axis.

To remove the cleaning pipeor element after the cleaning has beeneffected, and to prevent the corrosion of the cleaning pipe or element,and also damage-thereof by heat, the cleaning pipe or element'is'pulledoutwardly through the box 5 to the position shown in full lines,Fig. 7. The end 35 of the pipe being flush with or slightly below thesurface 30 of the box 5, the cleaner pipe is swung against the wall ofthe boiler, the box turning on its axis 6, 7, and left in such position.A support 37 .may be provided upon the wall of the boiler to hold theprojecting end of the cleaner pipe or element 1, as indicated in Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 4:, 5 and 6, numeral 1 designates the cleaning pipeor element provided with inlet orifices 23 and jet-forming orifices 24.Numeral 5 designates the box turning on the pivotal axis 6, 7, andprovided with the steam chamber 21, stufling box 9, bearing 10, andswinging packing joint 17, all of which parts may be similar: inconstruction to the correspondingly numbered parts in Figs. 1 to 3 ofthe drawing.

.50 designates a plate having arms or brackets 51, 52, in which the box5 is mounted, and having a curved or circular face 54 similar incurvature to the face 30 of the box 5. A packing 56 is preferablyprovided between these faces 30 and 54.

The cleaner tube or element 1, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 5 and6, is adapt= ed to be swung or oscillated on the interior of the boilersetting. To this end the boiler setting or wall is provided with anopening 58, elongated in the direction in which'it is desired to swingthe cleaning tube or element 1. A guide 60 may be provided for the outerend of the cleaner pipe or element, and'the cleaner pipe orelement'provided witha shoe 61 adapted to slide on said guide 60. Theface of the shoe 61 which slides upon the guide 60, is flat, and therebyprevents the cleaner tube or element. being turned upon its axis.However, the ends of the guide are cut away slightly, as indicated at63, so that when the shoe is swung to the extreme ends of the guide, thecleaner pipe or element 1 maybe turned slightly upon its axis. 1

The shoe may be provided with a shoulder (35 for limiting the inwardmovement of the cleaner tube or element in-the box5.

Handles 67, 68, may be prodded for con venience in sliding and turningthe cleaner tube or element 1.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is of especialadvantage in connection with vertical fire tube boilers.

OperationrlVhen not in use, the cleaner tube or element 1 is withdrawnfromthe interior of the boiler setting, and preferably in the boilerwall or setting, the box turning upon'its pivotal axis 6, 7. When inline with the opening 58, the cleaner tube or pipe is pushed or slidinwardly to the position where the inlet orifices 23 are incommunication with the chamber 21' in the box 5.- This extent ofmovement may be determined by the stop or shoulder 65. Steam, or otherfluid, may then be admitted through the pipe 15, passing therefrom intothe chamber 21, and thence into the element or tube 1 through theorifices 28, and out from the tube, in jets, through thejet-lforming'orifices 24c. The cleaner tube or element may be swung uponthe axis 6,7, in order to cause the jets to strike against different parts on theinterior of'the boiler setting, and at the ends of the guide 60 the tubeor element 1 may be swung slightly on its axis, thereby directing thejets upon other parts on the interior of the boiler setting.

After the cleaning has been e fli'ected, the cleaner tube or elment 1 ispulled outwardly until its end 35 isflush with, or below, the surface ofthe box 5, whereupon the tube may be swung against or alongside the sideof the boiler or setting,*the box 5 turning upon its axis 6, 7. Whenwith-drawn from the interior of the boiler setting,'and disposedalongside of the wall or setting, the cleaner is out of the way of theboiler attendants, and liability to damage by heat and corrosion isgreatly minimized. The inventive ideas herein set forth may receiveother embodiments than those herein specifically illustrated anddescribed.

What we claim is 1. A tube cleaner, or the like, comprising a cleanertube, and a pivotal support therefor, mounted outside the wall of theboiler furnace, said cleaner tube having a cleaning fluid passage, andjet forming orifices therein, said tube being slidable in said support,and adapted, when slid out, to swing on the axis of said support into aposition alongside the wall of the structure.

2. The combination with a boiler, or the like, having an. openingthrough its structural wall, of a fitting covering said opening, arotatable support pivotally mounted in saidofitting, and a cleaner tubeslidable in said support, said cleaner tube having a cleaning fluidpassage, and jet forming orifices therein, said support having its axisat the outer side of the wall, whereby said cleaner tube, when slid insaid support to its outermost position, may swing, with said rotatablesupport, to a position alongside said wall.

3. The combination with a boiler, or the like, having an opening throughits wall or setting, of a fitting covering said opening, a rotatablesupport pivotally mounted in said fitting, having an internal chamber, nadmission pipe for introducing cleaning fluid to said chamber, and acleaner tube slidable in said support, said cleaner tube having acleaning fluid passage, and et formmg orifices therein, sald tube hav1ngan inlet opening which, in its operative position, admits fluid fromsaid chamber to said passage in said tube.

4. The combination'witha boiler, or the like, having an opening throughits wall or setting, of a fitting covering said opening, a rotatablesupport pivotally mounted thereon and having an internal chamber, meansfor introducing a cleaning fluid into said chamber, and a cleaner tubeslidable through said support, the latter having means for making atight joint between said tube and support in operative position, saidcleaner said cleaner tube having a cleaning fluid passage, and jetforming orifices therein.

6. A tube cleaner, or the like, comprising a fitting, a rotatablesupport pivotally mounted thereon, and a cleaner tube passing throughsaid support, slidable therein, and mounted to be rotated therein, saidcleaner tubehaving a cleaning fluid passage, and jet forming orificestherein, said support having its axis at the outer side of the wall,whereby said cleaner tube, when slid in said support to its outermostposition, may swing, with said rotatable support, to a positionalongside said wall.

7. A tube cleaner according to claim 6, having packing means betweenthetube and support, adapted to prevent leakage of the fluid betweenthem, while permitting said movements of the tube.

8. A tube cleaner, or the like, comprising a fitting, a rotatablesupport pivoted thereon, a cleaner tube passing through said support androtatable therein, and means for admitting cleaning fluid to said tube,said cleaner tube having acleaning fluid pas sage, and jet formingorifices therein, said support having its axis at the outer side of thewall, whereby said cleaner tube, when slid in said support to itsoutermost position, may swing, with said rotatable support, to aposition alongside said wall.

9. A tube cleaner, or the like, according to claim 8, having a guide fordirecting the movement of the cleaner tube aroundv the pivotal axis.

10. A tube cleaner, or the like, according to claim 8, having guidingmeans adapted to prevent rotation of the clea er t e, while swingingthrough a determined are around the pivotal axis.

l1.-A tube cleaneigor the like, according to claim 8, having guidingmeans, compris ing a stationary, arc-shaped guide, and a guiding head onthe tube, adapted, by their engagement, to prevent rotation of the tube,while swinging through a determined arc around the pivotal axis.

12. A tube cleaner, orthe like, according to claim 8, having guidingmeans, comprising. a stationary, arc-shaped guide, and a guiding head onsaid cleaner tube, said guiding means having co-operating parts whichprevent rotation of said tube, while swinging through a determined are,said guiding means permitting oscillation of said tube beyond the limitsof said determined are.

18. A tube cleaner, or the like, according to claim 8, having guidingmeans, comprising a stationary, arc-shaped guide, having a plane guidingface, and having inclined por tions beyond such face, and the cleanertube having a head with a reciprocal guiding face, adapted. through theengagement of said head with'said plane face, to guide the tube, in itsswinging movements, overa certain arc, and prevent its rotation, andadapted, during its engagement with said inclined portions beyond saidare, to permit it a limited rotation. I i

14;. A. tube cleaner, or the like, comprising a support mounted'onapivotal axis,

having an internal chamber, and means for admitting cleaning fluid tosaid chamber, a cleaner tube shdable in said support, having an openingcommunicatlng with said chamber when in operative position, and stops tolimit thesliding movement ofthe tube, adapted, when in operativeposition, to insure communication of said opening with said chamber,said cleaner tube havinga. cleaning fluid passage, and jet forming orifices therein.

15. A boiler tube cleaner, comprising a support pivotally mountedoutside the'walli of the boiler furnace, on an axis parallelto saidwall, acleaner tube passing through said walland through said supportand rotatable therein, and slidable in said support outwardly of thefurnace, said support and tube adapted, when the tube is in itsoutermostposition, to be turned to bring the tube alongside the wall of thefurnace, and means for introducing cleaning fluid into and through'saidtube into the furnace, when the tube is slidinto its operative. positionin. the furnace.

16. The structure of claim 15, the tube and support having spaced stopshoulders adapted to limit the outward sliding of the tube.

17. The structure of claim 15, the sup,- port having a chamber receivingthe cleaning fluid, and the tube having an opening which, in theoperative position only of the tube,

communicates with said chamber, whereby the outward sliding displacementof the tube cuts off the. flow of cleaning fluid to said tube. f5 Inwitness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names. I

FREDERICK WQSLINAKER.) THEODORE M. BRUBAGK;

